The effect of flight efficiency on gap?crossing ability in Amazonian forest birds

The ability to move across the landscape is a fundamental property of species that can determine their chances persistence in fragmented landscapes and rapidly changing environments. Despite its importance, empirical evidence showing effect movement capacity on patterns limited. In this study, we examine role flight efficiency likelihood crossing man-made habitat gap. We used data from Biological Dynamics Forest Fragments Projects recaptures banded birds an Amazonian forest bisected by road. For total 45 species, estimated using hand-wing index (a proxy for wing's aspect ratio) it as predictor probability road phylogenetic binomial regression models. found was strong road-crossing probability: with high indices crossed more frequently than those low indices. contrast, other characteristics such body mass, diet, flocking behavior, foraging stratum did not show significant associations probability. Our results suggest proxies be powerful tools predicting vulnerability bird fragmentation. Abstract Spanish available online material La capacidad de moverse través del paisaje es una propiedad las especies que puede determinar sus probabilidades persistencia en paisajes fragmentados y ambientes rápidamente cambiantes. A pesar su importancia, la evidencia empírica efecto movimiento los patrones limitada. En este estudio, estudiamos el eficiencia vuelo probabilidad cruzar discontinuidad hábitat creada por hombre. Usamos datos Proyecto Dinámica Biológica Fragmentos Forestales recapturas aves un bosque amazónico dividido carretera. Para especies, estimamos utilizando índice ala distal (un indicador relación aspecto ala) lo usamos modelos regresión filogenética como Encontramos fue fuerte carretera: con alas más alargadas cruzaron carretera frecuencia. Otras características masa corporal, dieta, participación bandadas mixtas estrato alimentación no mostraron asociaciones significativas Estos resultados sugieren indicadores vuelo, distal, pueden ser herramientas poderosas para predecir vulnerabilidad fragmentación. world, species' will play important determining track environmental conditions (MacLean & Beissinger, 2017; Nathan et al., 2008; Travis 2013). However, difficulties assessing mobility understanding causal factors hinder our gauge effects increased isolation identify affected fragmentation climate change (Driscoll 2014; Fraser 2018). Although are among organisms greatest because fly, many tropical (Lens 2002; Moore Sodhi 2004; Stouffer Bierregaard, 1995). Several natural history ecological have been associated differences sensitivity isolation. Habitat requirements may whether gap inhospitable environment or permeable matrix (Kennedy 2010; Laurance Martin Fahrig, 2018; Neuschulz Foraging behavior diet levels use space (Blake Loiselle, 1991; Lees Peres, 2013; Ramos 2020; Sherry, 2016). particular, participation mixed-species flocks affect (Develey Stouffer, 2001; Williams Lindell, 2019), has suggested related resilience (Bradfer-Lawrence Burney Brumfield, 2009; 2008). there little congruence studies regarding main involved how exactly they More direct insights into relationship between obtained study organismal directly (Garrard 2012; Hartfelder 2020). example, size expected animals (Jenkins 2007; Sutherland 2000) larger showed higher some (Lees way estimating capabilities, which depends primarily muscle physiology wing morphology (Condell 2022; Norberg, 1990; Pennycuick, ratio wings, indicator (Norberg, Studies relating focused mostly migration (Vágási 2016) dispersal distances (Claramunt, 2021; Dawideit 2009), but few analyzed gaps relevant Over-water dispersal-challenge experiments Panamanian (Moore 2008) revealed correlation index, (Claramunt 2012). Dispersal-challenge African savanna over agricultural fields better predicted length (Hartfelder Notably, these two based were forced fly areas, would crucial investigate similar freely through (Sodhi 2011). while critical, settings, behavioral psychological aspects might (Diamond, 1981; 2004). set out fill knowledge investigating gap-crossing tendencies minimal experimental manipulation. evaluated efficiency, morphology, forest. only shed light responsible also reveal efficient tool identifying disproportionally conducted at Project (BDFFP) Brazilian Amazon (Laurance colleagues six sites along otherwise continuous terra firme original 30–40 m wide clearing done during construction 1970s reduced regrowth vegetation various degrees different sectors road, ranging still sizeable 25 incipient semi-continuous canopy formed 15–20 trees (Laurance, Because relative narrowness traffic (6 10 vehicles per week) impact mainly increasing isolation, loss source mortality 2009). 500 apart each other. Each site covered area ca. 4.5 ha visited five times November 1997 1999 both rainy dry seasons minimize potential biases due seasonality. At site, 150-m transects parallel established 10, 70, 130 edge side (Figure 1). Researchers deployed three contiguous 12-m mist-nets transect, moved transect day, covering 36 ~150 end fourth day. movements documented previously captured. Those classified within-forest (recaptures same respect road) road; Figure restricted analysis interior, excluding inhabit borders gaps, determined al. (2004). calculated 100 · (Lw–S1) / Lw, where Lw measured carpal joint tip longest primary feather, S1 measurement first secondary most feather avian forearm Wright, 2017). 258 specimens housed American Museum Natural History, Louisiana State University Science, Royal Ontario Museum, average 5.7 (range: 1–19). addition, collected recorded mass specimen, complemented additional increase sample size. Information VertNet (www.vertnet.org). provide complete list measurements Table S1. addition traits, considered traits potentially mobility: stratum. insectivores omnivores. Species frugivores (2004)—Ruddy Quail-Dove (Geotrygon montana), White-crowned Manakin (Pseudopipra pipra), White-fronted (Lepidothrix serena), Brown-winged Schiffornis (Schiffornis turdina), White-necked Thrush (Turdus albicollis)—are known feed insects invertebrates regular basis (see S2 references); therefore, them There information about raptor dataset—Tawny-bellied Screech-owl (Megascops watsonii)—but probably make up prey (König Weick, 2008); insectivore. Flocking refers flocks. stratum, assigned value corresponding level typically uses foraging: floor (0), understory (1), midstory (2), (3). When one foraging, values. (2004), Stotz (1996), Billerman (2020; see specific references species). Recaptures conceptualized Bernoulli trials possible outcomes: recapture (0) (1). number events then modeled distributions (Agresti, 2007). assessed overall tests. followed (2004) considering adjacent (60 apart) 120 apart; distant extremely rare analyzed. Under sampling design, nine transects: Six within Therefore, if had net movement, 3/9 = 0.33. test assess observed frequency compatible 0.33 greater, one-tailed R function binom.test. predictors (body guild, stratum) models implemented generalized equations (Paradis Claude, 2002). compar.gee ape 5.4 package (Paradis, 2012) 4.1 (R Development Core Team, 2021), takes input success/failure counts. logit link model crossing. conforming distribution generating process sum trials), naturally account gives weight controlled non-independence structures covariance residuals Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (Martins Hansen, 1997, consistently lower fit). tree, 1000 synthetic birdtree.org Hackett (2008) backbone topology V2.iii calibrations (Jetz 2014). maximum clade credibility tree maxCladeCred phangorn 2.6.3 (Schliep, single-predictor multi-predictor including all combinations predictors. compared quasi-likelihood criterion (QIC), extension Akaike's adapted computed probabilities variable importance selection averaging techniques (Burnham Anderson, absolute fit coefficients determination squared coefficient proportions (the crosses divided recaptures) weighted species. Finally, evaluate zero, t-tests phylogenetically adjusted freedom detected inhibiting bird. Of 614 recorded, 116 implies significantly (0.19) expectation under null hypothesis (0.33, Binomial p < .0001). Flight varied considerably analyzed, 6.6 Wing-banded Wren Microcerculus bambla 30 Ruddy Quail-Dove. Body masses ranged 8.2 g Brown-bellied Stipplethroat (Epinecrophylla gutturalis) 133 Motmot (Momotus momota). Regarding 35 omnivores (mostly feeding fruit). Fifteen dataset participants Stratum 0 (several foraged exclusively ground) 2.5 Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner (Philydor erythrocercum) Flame-crested Tanager (Loriotus cristatus) regularly provided S2. models, positive 2a; .004). (Figures 2b–e; > .1). Similarly, variables (Table best included 2) highly (p .0035), .1; Appendix S1), 1.8 QIC units model, suggesting merit. moderate uncertainty (no attained >0.5 decreased gradually), <4 above inconsistently present. summarizing individual predictors, stood (Variable 1), whereas 3). influence tendency cross narrow gaps. This agrees growing indicating even relatively small spatial scales Ibarra-Macias 2011; produced represented relation move, constrained several Limited barrier-crossing thought largely driven attributed fear venturing outside flying terrains poor capabilities explain limited (Ibarra-Macias Using over-water 2008), Claramunt (2012) distance (in meters) 127 log(hand-wing index) – 192. According lowest dataset, (6.6), should capable 50 nonstop terrains, just enough widest Considering compel upper limits overestimations willing normal circumstances (although procedures introduce bias opposite direction, although studied physically gap, reluctant do so. power suggests reluctance correlated efficiency. propose arise component cost ultimately influences decision when confronted prospect idea energetic impacts birds' daily energy expenditure costs reproduction (Hinsley, 2000; Hinsley From evolutionary point view, predisposition physical capability coevolve closely 2021). Regardless proximate ultimate causes, confirms ones, capabilities. unrelated probabilities. generally actively dispersing 2000), apply birds. Both large either fliers sedentary (e.g., tapaculos, curassows) aerial mobile (swifts, condors). Some reported 2020), morphology. Depending community composition, emerge abundant passerine tend non-passerines. But predict once relationships taken account, correlations mobility, vanish. Other usually identified influential mobility—diet, preferred stratum—were behavior. Diet often invoked characteristic mobility. instance, extensively find sparse ephemeral fruiting Levey Styles, 1992; 1988). Among here, frugivorous eat fruit “frugivore guild” 2004), manakins (Pipridae), Quail-Dove, McConnell's Flycatcher (Mionectes macconnelli) above-average abilities. fruit-eating birds, like Schiffornis, Overall, dietary preferences tendencies. Another ecology—foraging behavior—may 2000). Participation 2019). Birds participating flock must together, Mixed Amazonia organized around leader Dusky-throated Antshrike (Thamnomanes ardesiacus) Cinereous caesius), attract pace Graves Gotelli, 1993; Thamnomanes forage short sallies therefore antbirds genera Myrmotherula Epinecrophylla foliage gleaners. On hand, members mixed woodcreepers gleaners family Furnariidae Thamnomanes, inferred If influenced flock, converge values (ca. 0.16). heterogeneity comparable non-flocking 2d). sum, apparent, seem roads greater lesser degree characteristics. rates gene flow (Burney demographic connectivity 2018), strata spatially temporally heterogenous promoting lifestyles structure strata, canopies separated isolated emergent trees, appropriate enhanced regenerating restored trend consistent predictions, significant, nil. forest; inclusion stronger conform either, dove Further research needed clarify interplay ability. Rates deforestation forests anthropogenic activities (Potapov Souza factor ?ekercio?lu confirmation implications conservation First, finding linked factors. separation fragments creating interpatch presence corridors become key elements evaluation impacts, design mitigation measures, planning restoration strategies. Second, validates shape Gap-crossing intensive field methods observations banding radio-tracking (Boscolo genetic (Brown time resource-intensive, widespread conservation. Given already world (Sheard applications, identification particularly vulnerable parameterization mathematical patch occupancy metapopulation dynamics. Obtaining reliable estimates predict, prevent, mitigate biodiversity. SC conceived ideas, designed analyses, data. All authors AB wrote initial version manuscript. revised thank B. Krochuck helping specimen ROM. support Sciences Engineering Research Council Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant RGPIN-2018-06747 S.C. findings openly Dryad Digital Repository: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.xksn02vj7 2022). Please note: publisher content functionality any supporting supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) directed author article.